How much does a wheel alignment cost?

A wheel alignment usually costs $50 to $100 for the front wheels and $100 to $150 for all four at US tire chains (TireGrades). RepairPal's estimate, which reflects typical shop labor rates, is higher at $186 to $273.

In the UK it's cheaper. FixMyCar's average is £49 for the front wheels and £87 for front and rear.

What you're paying for

An alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels so they point straight and sit square to the road. The tires themselves aren't touched. The shop puts the car on a rack, measures camber, caster and toe, and turns adjusters on the steering and suspension until each angle is back inside the manufacturer's spec.

Kwik Fit's Hunter Hawkeye check reads 14 angles, including camber, caster, toe and thrust line, and prints a before-and-after report. Ask for that printout wherever you go. It's your proof the work was done.

There are three types, and the type sets the price:

• Front-end (two-wheel). Only the front wheels are adjusted. Fine for many cars with a solid rear axle.
• Thrust angle. Front wheels adjusted, rear checked so the front is set relative to where the rear axle points.
• Four-wheel. All four wheels adjusted. Needed on most cars with independent rear suspension and on all-wheel drive. ClickMechanic says four-wheel-drive vehicles typically need one.

Wheel alignment cost in the US

Tire chains are the cheapest place to get it done. Dealers cost more, and general repair shops land in between.

The chain prices are TireGrades' estimates, not posted prices. Call your local store for the real number, because prices vary by location and vehicle. Les Schwab notes its starting price can be higher depending on the car.

Pep Boys runs coupons for $20 off alignment services, and Les Schwab and Pep Boys both offer free alignment checks. A free check tells you whether you need to pay for an adjustment at all.

Many chains also sell a lifetime alignment package. It costs more up front and pays off only if you keep the car for years and get aligned at least once a year. Read the terms before you buy, including what happens if you sell the car.

Tire alignment price in the UK

UK garages call it "tracking" as well as alignment. The prices are lower than in the US.

Kwik Fit's four-wheel price covers the Hawkeye inspection and front toe adjustment only. Rear adjustments cost extra, but it tells you before starting, and refunds you if no adjustment is needed.

What changes the price

Most cars are a flat-rate job taking about an hour, and ClickMechanic says 45 minutes to an hour is normal. A few things push it up.

• Four-wheel versus front-end. Roughly double, per both TireGrades and FixMyCar.
• Seized adjusters. Rusty tie-rod ends or eccentric bolts add labor. ClickMechanic says the job can stretch to two hours if other steering parts need work.
• Worn parts. A worn tie-rod end or control arm bushing has to be replaced first, or the alignment won't hold. RepairPal warns that after a curb strike or big pothole, suspension parts may need replacing before the car can be aligned.
• Driver-assist cameras. If the car has lane-keep or adaptive cruise, Kwik Fit recommends ADAS calibration after the adjustment. That's a separate charge and not every site can do it.
• Lifted or lowered cars. Aftermarket ride height often needs extra adjusters.

Signs you need one, and how often

You need an alignment if the car pulls to one side, the steering wheel sits off-center on a straight road, or the inner or outer edge of a tire is wearing faster than the middle. Les Schwab and Kwik Fit both list these signs.

How often is less settled. Les Schwab suggests about twice a year or with every new set of tires, plus a free check at least once a year. Kwik Fit recommends an annual check and says regular checks can add up to 12,000 miles of tire life.

Get one sooner after hitting a curb or a deep pothole, after replacing steering or suspension parts, or after any accident. A pull that started right after an impact is the classic case. For other steering and handling problems, see our symptoms guides.

A pull isn't always alignment. A low tire, a sticking brake caliper or a tire with an internal belt problem can all pull. Check tire pressures before you book.

Is it worth paying for

Usually, yes. A bad toe setting scrubs the tire sideways every mile, and the edge wears out long before the middle. A $100 alignment is cheap next to a set of tires, and Kwik Fit puts the tire-life gain from regular checks at up to 12,000 miles.

It's not worth paying for when nothing's wrong. If the car tracks straight, the wheel is centered and the tires wear evenly, take the free check and skip the adjustment.

More prices like this are in our repair costs section.

What to do today

1. Check all four tire pressures against the sticker in the driver's door jamb. Fix those first.
2. Run your hand over each front tire's tread. Feathered or worn inner edges point to alignment.
3. Book a free alignment check at a tire chain and ask for the printout.
4. If it's out of spec, ask whether you need a front-end, thrust or four-wheel alignment, and get the price in writing before work starts.
5. Ask for the before-and-after readings when you collect the car.

Sources

• RepairPal: Wheel Alignment Cost
• TireGrades: How Much Does a Wheel Alignment Cost?
• Les Schwab: How Often Should You Get an Alignment?
• Pep Boys: Alignment
• Kwik Fit: Wheel Alignment
• FixMyCar: How Much Should a Wheel Alignment Cost?
• ClickMechanic: Wheel Alignment Cost Guide
• BookMyGarage: 4 Wheel Alignment

Featured image: Tire alignment. by MIKI Yoshihito. (#mikiyoshihito), CC BY 2.0. Source